Sub set for scrap heap

The Oberon Class submarine, Orion, rests alongside at HMAS Stirling. Tenders close on August 6 for her disposal. Photo: ABPH Jarrad Oliffe

By Graham Davis

Suppose you could call the Oberon class submarine Orion “Orphan Annie” - nobody wants her.
The 2070 tonne submarine, laid up for years at HMAS Stirling since she was decommissioned, is set for the scrap heap.

In September, 2003, the Defence Minister, Senator Robert Hill, approved her disposal as scrap, after writing to all State premiers asking them would they like her for a dive site or display.

All premiers declined the offer, although the search and attack periscopes have been purchased by the West
Australian Maritime Museum and the sonar dome and conning tower will be removed.

As the only remaining option now is scrap, a tender has been released for her disposal.

Tenders close on August 6.

“If all goes to plan, she will be physically removed and cut up by Christmas,” Mr Michael Epps, director of Defence’s Marketing and Disposal Agency, told Navy News.

Orion was one of six Oberon class submarines which served in the RAN.

The 89 metre long submarines carried a ship’s company of 64.

They have been replaced by the Collins class vessels.

Orion is just one of the Defence assets Michael Epps and his team have for sale, once the Minister has approved their respective disposal plans.

“We have some former RAAF Macchi jets, HS748 transports and some Orion aircraft,” he said.

“Further along we will have the Fremantle class patrol boats and there has already been some interest expressed by the public in obtaining these for dive sites and general memorabilia.

“The media interest generated in HMAS Brisbane as a dive site has seen the creation of a number of ‘Artificial Reef Committees’ lobbying the Minister for decommissioned naval vessels,” he said.

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